Sleep, Merel, Sleep

-- A small girl faces the scary prospect of staying awake forever -- From the author of 'Trina Bell's Humming Summer' comes a touching, dreamlike tale about growing up, the confusion and heartache caused by loss, and the importance of being there for one another through difficult times. Merel's life has changed. Since the death of her beloved grandpa and the birth of her sick baby brother, her parents seem to have forgotten she exists. But when she finds a tiny silver violin in her bedroom, things take a turn for the worse. Merel learns that her sleep has abandoned her and that she must embark on a perilous journey to recover it, or stay awake forever. Together with her devoted toy sheep, Roger, Merel sets out in search of a place called Lullaby Grove. She meets a sleepy king with an obsession for feathers and a transparent old man on a night train going nowhere. She discovers why the moonfish cry, and why one should never walk across the Great Yawns. But sad memories start haunting her, as well as a scary man in blue who pops up everywhere she goes. As the strange world she travels keeps shifting and changing, will Merel be able to win back her sleep, return home -- and realize what matters most? "I can't even begin to describe how wonderful this book is. The world in it is so beautiful and strange at the same time. The characters are fantastic, each and everyone of them are perfectly shaped and thought out." --FallingLeaves, Goodreads reviewer "An absolutely beautiful and amazing book for middle graders and above."--Paige Green, KitLitExchange "I loved how Silke Stein turns sleep into a reality with many interesting layers. I really enjoyed Sleep, Merel, Sleep. It's a fabulous, enchanting story." --Suze Lavender, WithLoveForBooks "Five stars for this delightful children's book that anyone, regardless of age, will enjoy. Vivid imagination inside an easy to read, fun, and insightful story." --Goodreads review "Who knew trying to fall asleep can take one on such amazing night time escapades? Cute is an understatement. So cute."--Tee Wai, Biblichor "Any child who has resented having a new baby in the house will no doubt relate to Merel's anger and will enjoy following Merel on her quirky adventures."--Patricia Mather Parker, author of The Abode